Help keep Syrian families safe and warm this winter

Since 2011, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee the brutal violence of their own country. Many live in neighbouring Lebanon in whatever shelter they can find and now face another threat - a cold and dangerous winter. Please help a Syrian refugee family keep out the cold.

Children are forced to live in derelict buildings as temperatures drop below freezing.

Lebanon is now home to over 1.5 million Syrian refugees and winter can be every bit as cold as in the UK, with temperatures dropping to minus eight degrees. It's nearly unimaginable that hundreds of Syrian refugee families are living in flimsy tents, derelict buildings or half-built garages in these freezing temperatures, but unfortunately, it is a reality.

24 per cent of those displaced have no choice but to live in substandard buildings that not only lack furniture, electricity and safe water, but also give little protection against the harsh winter. Without these basics, young children and the elderly are at risk of exposure to deadly respiratory infections such as pneumonia. But you can change this.

With your support, we can give a family who has been forced to flee their home the gift of a warm, safe place to live. We can carry out improvements to make their shelters secure and comfortable. We can fit windows and doors, and provide them with blankets and stoves. Concern has been working in Lebanon since mid-2013 and developed the emergency programme as a response to this ongoing crisis. Since then, we have seen the huge difference having these basics can have on a family.

Help us to keep out the cold this winter.

Could provide a family with a much needed cooking stove

Could provide a blanket and a sleeping mat for a warm nights sleep

Could provide a window to help protect a family against the harsh weather

Alya lives in an unfinished building, with gaping holes where windows should be

Five-year-old *Alya (pictured above with her four-year-old cousin *Sultan) and her seven siblings had a comfortable life in Syria.

In 2013 her family's village was bombed and, fearing for their children's safety, *Ahmed and his wife *Nofah had no choice but to flee. The family had to leave everything behind and are now unable to earn a living in Lebanon. The day-to-day struggle to survive is mentally and physically exhausting.

"We thought it would be a month. I miss our house, our land and our relatives: everything." - Ahmed

Last winter, the family were living in a rat-infested tent that offered little protection from the snow and rain meaning Alya and her siblings regularly got sick. Earlier this year, the family moved into an unfinished building where there are no windows and not even a door they can lock behind them. It's clear that there is much to be done.

But with help from our generous supporters, we have Concern staff on the ground assessing the needs of Alya's family and they will have windows and doors fitted in time for winter. It's not just about installing these basic essentials, it's about making sure these families who have lost everything are safe until they can one day hopefully return home.

*Names have been changed for security reasons

"I wish I could thank every Concern supporter personally"

Samah Zohbi is a Technical Field Officer with the Concern shelter team. She got involved four years ago after seeing the difference Concern was making. On a daily basis, Samah helps to asses a family's needs, as well as designing and installing improvements such as putting in a window or disturbing blankets. Everything Samah does to help Syrian refugees depends on the kindness and generosity of our supporters.

Over a million Syrian refugees live in Lebanon

This has put an enormous strain on the country's resources and housing. As a result, many families have no choice but to shelter in derelict buildings or tents, and one in two are living in extreme poverty. Your Christmas gift could make all the difference and help give a vulnerable family protection against the worsening winter weather.

“I am very happy that Concern are going to help us”

Mum-of-three Kafya* owned a three bedroom house with a kitchen and cellar and her husband had a job as a lorry driver. Now they live in a shared derelict building, but thanks to our supporters we will able to help Kafya keep her children warm and safe this winter.

Help keep out the cold

Concern Worldwide (UK) is a Company Limited By Guarantee And Not Having A Share Capital (Registered in England and Wales with registered number 4323646) which has been granted Charitable Status by The Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Number 1092236) and The Office of The Scottish Charity Regulator (Registered Number SCO38107). The Registered Offices of Concern Worldwide (UK) are 13/14 Calico House, Plantation Wharf, London, SW11 3TN. Concern Worldwide (UK) is a subsidiary organisation of Concern Worldwide an Irish Registered Charity.